Stoic Kelly Rutherford defies private heartache over custody battle to show support for World Aids Day in New York

But Kelly Rutherford defied her private heartache to show support for a good cause on Thursday.

The Gossip Girl star looked regal in black at an event in support of World Aids Day in New York's Meatpacking District.

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So brave: Kelly Rutherford put her own custody problems aside to attend the (Belvedere) RED Night Lights for World AIDS Day in New York on Thursday

Kelly is embroiled in a bitter battle for custody of her two children but put her own worries aside.

The 44-year-old blonde arrived on the red carpet wearing a long black woolen overcoat, but later ditched the wrap to reveal a charming black top and black trouser ensemble.

Pointy black heels and black leather handbag completed the outfit.

Missing her children: In August, a L.A. judge allowed Kelly's ex-husband to keep the couple's two children in France, but Kelly kept up a stoic front while at the event

A good cause: Kelly, who looked smart in an all-black ensemble and pointy black heels, showed up to help raise more awareness about AIDS

Kelly wore her straight blonde hair tied back in a demure ponytail and just the slightest hint of makeup.

The
actress, who plays Blake Lively's mother on the CW show, smiled and
posed for a myriad of pictures including some beside a large red vodka
bottle and other Belvedere Vodka items.

Joining
Kelly at the New York event was actor Alan Cumming, who looked casually
chic in jeans, red striped jumper, black leather jacket and cap.

Model perfect: Jessica White looked elegantly stunning in a black long gown with a slit

Refreshment: Actor Alan Cumming and Jessica relaxed backstage

Model
Jessica White looked elegant in a sleek black gown with a slit that
showed off her long legs, matched with pointy black shoes.

British
singer Neon Hitch wore a black stud bustier and clingy gold skirt
paired with heavy black metal heels, while P-Thugg from the electrofunk
duo Chromeo looked hip in a black and orange ensemble, with one arm in a
sling.

Behind the brave smile, Kelly is missing her children.

She
married German businessman Daniel Giersch in 2006, but left him three years later
while she was pregnant with their second child and divorced him in 2010.

So suave: Alan arrived to the event looking casually cool in jeans, leather jacket and cap

A custody battle erupted between the two ex-spouses, and on August 29, a Los Angeles judge ruled that the couple's son Hermes, five, and daughter Helena, three, should stay in France with their father, who they had been visiting over the summer.

Giersch's visa was revoked earlier this year and he has been banned from entering the U.S., which has complicated the situation.

Rutherford, who has been required to fly overseas for visitation as a result, told Dateline earlier this month that she's being 'punished for being a good mother.'

'Why
would you take the kids away from their mother, out of their school,
away from their friends and everything they've known, and plant them
somewhere else?' asked Kelly, who lives in New York City.

'It's hard to even believe it's real,' she added. 'I was on a plane three weekends a month.

'I'm
being punished for being a good mother and taking care of my children,
and he's being rewarded for having his visa revoked. Our kids are U.S.
citizens and they have a right to be raised in the U.S.'

Peace: P-Thugg of the electrofunk duo Chromeo showed his support at the event despite an arm in a sling

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Kelly Rutherford puts on stoic face at World AIDS Day event in NYC... as custody battle with ex rages on